Che' Molly's

The Penobscot people have a rich tradition in trading. Ancient canoe routes linking adjoining watersheds were considered major trade routes by both the Penobscot people and Europeans, who often put their trading posts at the mouths of rivers or within known Native American villages. Penobscot people and other Wabanaki tribes participated in the fur trade either directly or as guides for others.

The name Che’ Molly was chosen for our modern-day trading post because of the popularity of the name Molly within the Wabanaki communities. Starting in the early 1600’s, the French sent over Jesuit priests to “Christianize” the Native American population. During baptisms, many Wabanaki took on Christian names – often Mary and Marie – but because the Penobscot language has no hard “r” sound, both names sounded like Molly or Malie. The prefix Che’ means big.

Shop Che' Molly's Trading Post at the Penobscot Nation's Museum located at 12 Down Street, Indian Island, Maine.